Active compound combinations

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to active compound combinations, in particular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A) Prothioconazole and (B) Iprodione. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and not at least to the treated seed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a §371 National Stage Application ofPCT/EP2012/058932, filed May 14, 2012, which claims priority to EuropeanApplication No. 11166381.1, filed May 17, 2011, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/487,460, filed May 18, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to active compound combinations, inparticular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A)Prothioconazole and (B) Iprodione. Moreover, the invention relates to amethod for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenicfungi of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to theinvention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seedand not at least to the treated seed.

2. Description of Related Art

Prothioconazole and Iprodione are already known [cf. The PesticideManual, Fifteenth Edition, C. D. S. Tomlin (Ed.), 2009, BCPCPublications] as fungicides.

Since the environmental and economic requirements imposed on modern-daycrop protection compositions are continually increasing, with regard,for example, to the spectrum of action, toxicity, selectivity,application rate, formation of residues, and favourable preparationability, and since, furthermore, there may be problems, for example,with resistances, a constant task is to develop new compositions, inparticular fungicidal agents, which in some areas at least help tofulfil the abovementioned requirements. The present invention providesactive compound combinations/compositions which in some aspects at leastachieve the stated objective.

SUMMARY

It has now been found, surprisingly, that the combinations according tothe invention not only bring about the additive enhancement of thespectrum of action with respect to the phytopathogen to be controlledthat was in principle to be expected but achieves a synergistic effectwhich extends the range of action of the component (A) and of thecomponent (B) in two ways. Firstly, the rates of application of thecomponent (A) and of the component (B) are lowered whilst the actionremains equally good. Secondly, the combination still achieves a highdegree of phytopathogen control even where the two individual compoundshave become totally ineffective in such a low application rate range.This allows, on the one hand, a substantial broadening of the spectrumof phytopathogens that can be controlled and, on the other hand,increased safety in use.

In addition to the fungicidal synergistic activity, the active compoundcombinations according to the invention have further surprisingproperties which, in a wider sense, may also be called synergistic, suchas, for example: broadening of the activity spectrum to otherphytopathogens, for example to resistant strains of plant diseases;lower application rates of the active compounds; sufficient control ofpests with the aid of the active compound combinations according to theinvention even at application rates where the individual compounds showno or virtually no activity; advantageous behaviour during formulationor during use, for example during grinding, sieving, emulsifying,dissolving or dispensing; improved storage stability and lightstability; advantageous residue formation; improved toxicological orecotoxicological behaviour; improved properties of the plant, forexample better growth, increased harvest yields, a better developed rootsystem, a larger leaf area, greener leaves, stronger shoots, less seedrequired, lower phytotoxicity, mobilization of the defence system of theplant, good compatibility with plants. Thus, the use of the activecompound combinations or compositions according to the inventioncontributes considerably to keeping young cereal stands healthy, whichincreases, for example, the winter survival of the cereal seed treated,and also safeguards quality and yield. Moreover, the active compoundcombinations according to the invention may contribute to enhancedsystemic action. Even if the individual compounds of the combinationhave no sufficient systemic properties, the active compound combinationsaccording to the invention may still have this property. In a similarmanner, the active compound combinations according to the invention mayresult in higher long term efficacy of the fungicidal action.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a combination comprising:

(A) Prothioconazole and

(B) Iprodione.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

If the active compounds in the active compound combinations according tothe invention are present in certain weight ratios, the synergisticeffect is particularly pronounced. However, the weight ratios of theactive compounds in the active compound combinations can be variedwithin a relatively wide range.

In the combinations according to the invention the compounds (A) and (B)are present in a synergistically effective weight ratio of A:B in arange of 100:1 to 1:100, preferably in a weight ratio of 50:1 to 1:50,most preferably in a weight ratio of 20:1 to 1:20. Further ratios of A:Bwhich can be used according to the present invention with increasingpreference in the order given are: 95:1 to 1:95, 90:1 to 1:90, 85:1 to1:85, 80:1 to 1:80, 75:1 to 1:75, 70:1 to 1:70, 65:1 to 1:65, 60:1 to1:60, 55:1 to 1:55, 45:1 to 1:45, 40:1 to 1:40, 35:1 to 1:35, 30:1 to1:30, 25:1 to 1:25, 15:1 to 1:15, 10:1 to 1:10, 5:1 to 1:5, 4:1 to 1:4,3:1 to 1:3, 2:1 to 1:2.

The present invention furthermore provides active compoundcombinations/compositions which comprise a third active ingredientselected from the group (C) consisting of

(1) Inhibitors of the ergosterol biosynthesis, for example aldimorph,azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole,difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dodemorph, dodemorphacetate, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole,fenhexamid, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fluquinconazole, flmpiimidolflusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole,imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole,myclobutanil, naftifine, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazol,pefurazoate, penconazole, piperalin, prochloraz, propiconazole,pyributicarb, pyrifenox, quinconazole, simeconazole, spiroxamine,tebuconazole, terbinafine, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol,tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole,uniconazole-p, viniconazole, voriconazole,1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol, methyl1-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate,N′-{5-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsily)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamideand O-[1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl]1H-imidazole-1-carbothioate.(2) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex I or II, for examplebixafen, boscalid, carboxin, diflumetorim, fenfuram, fluopyram,flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, furmecyclox, isopyrazam (mixtureof syn-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and anti-epimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9SR), isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR),isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S), isopyrazam(anti-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9R), isopyrazam (syn epimeric racemate1RS,4SR,9RS), isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R), isopyrazam(syn-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9S), mepronil, oxycarboxin, penflufen,penthiopyrad, sedaxane, thifluzamide,1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5,8-difluoro-N-[2-(2-fluoro-4-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}phenyl)ethyl]quinazolin-4-amineand salts thereof.(3) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex III, for exampleametoctradin, azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, coumethoxystrobin,coumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, famoxadone, fenamidone,fenoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin,orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin,pyraoxystrobin, pyribencarb, triclopyricarb, trifloxystrobin,(2E)-2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}-phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,(2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)ethanamide,(2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-{2-[(E)-({1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}imino)methyl]-phenyl}ethanamide,(2E)-2-{2-[({[(1E)-1-(3-{[(E)-1-fluoro-2-phenyl-ethenyl]oxy}phenypethylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]-phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,(2E)-2-{2-[({[(2E,3E)-4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)but-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]-phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one,methyl(2E)-2-{2-[({cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}sulfanyl)methyl]-phenyl}-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate,N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-(formylamino)-2-hydroxybenzamide,2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]-phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamide,(2R)-2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]-phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamideand salts thereof.(4) Inhibitors of the mitosis and cell division, for example benomyl,carbendazim, chlorfenazole, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, fluopicolide,fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole, thiophanate-methyl,thiophanate, zoxamide,5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine,3-chloro-5-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)pyridazineand salts thereof.(5) Compounds capable to have a multisite action, like for examplebordeaux mixture, captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide,copper naphthenate, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, copper(²⁺)sulfate, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base, ferbam,fluorofolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadine,iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb,maneb, metiram, metiram zinc, oxine-copper, propamidine, propineb,sulphur and sulphur preparations including calcium polysulphide, thiram,tolylfluanid, zineb, ziram and salts thereof.(6) Compounds capable to induce a host defence, like for exampleacibenzolar-S-methyl, isotianil, probenazole, tiadinil and saltsthereof.(7) Inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis, forexample andoprim, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycinhydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil,3-(5-fluoro-3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinolineand salts thereof.(8) Inhibitors of the ATP production, for example fentin acetate, fentinchloride, fentin hydroxide and silthiofam.(9) Inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis, for example benthiavalicarb,dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid, polyoxins,polyoxorim, validamycin A and valifenalate.(10) Inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, for examplebiphenyl, chloroneb, dicloran, edifenphos, etridiazole, iodocarb,iprobenfos, isoprothiolane, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride,prothiocarb, pyrazophos, quintozene, tecnazene and tolclofos-methyl.(11) Inhibitors of the melanine biosynthesis, for example carpropamid,diclocymet, fenoxanil, phthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole and2,2,2-trifluoroethyl{3-methyl-1-[(4-methylbenzoyl)amino]butan-2-yl}carbamate.(12) Inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis, for example benalaxyl,benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl), bupirimate, clozylacon, dimethirimol,ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazol, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam),ofurace, oxadixyl and oxolinic acid.(13) Inhibitors of the signal transduction, for examplechlozolinate,fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, procymidone, quinoxyfen and vinclozolin.(14) Compounds capable to act as an uncoupler, like forexamplebinapacryl, dinocap, ferimzone, fluazinam and meptyldinocap.(15) Further compounds, like for example benthiazole, bethoxazin,capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat, pyriofenone (chlazafenone),cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cyprosulfamide, dazomet, debacarb,dichlorophen, diclomezine, difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate,diphenylamine, ecomate, fenpyrazamine, flumetover, fluoroimide,flusulfamide, flutianil, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium,fosetyl-sodium, hexachlorobenzene, irumamycin, methasulfocarb, methylisothiocyanate, metrafenone, mildiomycin, natamycin, nickeldimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb,oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and salts, phenothrin, phosphorous acidand its salts, propamocarb-fosetylate, propanosine-sodium, proquinazid,pyrimorph, pyrrolnitrine, tebufloquin, tecloftalam, tolnifanide,triazoxide, trichlamide, zarilamid,(3S,6S,7R,8R)-8-benzyl-3-[({3-[(isobutpyloxy)methoxy]-4-methoxypyridin-2-yl}carbonyl)amino]-6-methyl-4,9-dioxo-1,5-dioxonan-7-yl2-methylpropanoate,1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-{4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone,1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl 1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate,2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine,2,3-dibutyl-6-chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone,2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1-yl}ethanone,2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one,2-chloro-5-[2-chloro-1-(2,6-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine,2-phenylphenol and salts,3-(4,4,5-trifluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline,3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile,3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-oxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine,3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine,4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dimethylpyridazine,5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol,5-chloro-N-phenyl-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)thiophene-2-sulfonohydrazide,5-fluoro-2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine,5-fluoro-2-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine,5-methyl-6-octyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine,ethyl(2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-3-phenylprop-2-enoate,N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodopyridine-3-carboxamide,N-{(E)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N-{(Z)[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide,pentyl{6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and quinolin-8-ol, quinolin-8-ol sulfate(2:1).(16) Further compounds, like for example1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[2′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(4′-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(2′,4′-dichlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N—(Z,5′-difluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,N-(4-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-(4-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,4-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,(5-bromo-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-methylphenyl)methanoneandN-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl]oxy}-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N2-(methylsulfonyl)valinamide.

In general, in the ternary mixtures from 0.01 to 100 parts by weight,preferably from 0.05 to 20 parts by weight, particularly preferably from0.1 to 10 parts by weight, of active compound of group (B) and from 0.01to 100 parts by weight, preferably from 0.05 to 20 parts by weight,particularly preferably from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, of activecompound of group (C) are present per part by weight of active compound(A). The mixing ratio is preferably to be chosen such that a synergisticmixture is obtained.

According to the invention the expression “combination” stands for thevarious combinations of compounds (A), (B) and (C), for example in asingle “ready-mix” form, in a combined spray mixture composed fromseparate formulations of the single active compounds or combine a singleactive compound with a binary mixture of the other two components, suchas a “tank-mix”, and in a combined use of the single active ingredientswhen applied in a sequential manner, i.e. one after the other with areasonably short period, such as a few hours or days. Preferably theorder of applying the compounds (A), (B) and (C) is not essential forworking the present invention.

The present invention furthermore relates to compositions forcombating/controlling undesirable microorganisms comprising the activecompound combinations according to the invention. Preferably, thecompositions are fungicidal compositions comprising agriculturallysuitable auxiliaries, solvents, carriers, surfactants or extenders.

Furthermore the invention relates to a method of combating undesirablemicroorganisms, characterized in that the active compound combinationsaccording to the invention are applied to the phytopathogenic fungiand/or their habitat.

According to the invention, carrier is to be understood as meaning anatural or synthetic, organic or inorganic substance which is mixed orcombined with the active compounds for better applicability, inparticular for application to plants or plant parts or seeds. Thecarrier, which may be solid or liquid, is generally inert and should besuitable for use in agriculture.

Suitable solid or liquid carriers are: for example ammonium salts andnatural ground minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz,attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground syntheticminerals, such as finely divided silica, alumina and natural orsynthetic silicates, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers, water, alcohols,especially butanol, organic solvents, mineral oils and vegetable oils,and also derivatives thereof. It is also possible to use mixtures ofsuch carriers. Solid carriers suitable for granules are: for examplecrushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite, marble,pumice, sepiolite, dolomite, and also synthetic granules of inorganicand organic meals and also granules of organic material, such assawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks.

Suitable liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers are liquids which aregaseous at ambient temperature and under atmospheric pressure, forexample aerosol propellants, such as butane, propane, nitrogen andcarbon dioxide.

Tackifiers, such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and syntheticpolymers in the form of powders, granules and latices, such as gumarabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, or else naturalphospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins and syntheticphospholipids can be used in the formulations. Other possible additivesare mineral and vegetable oils and waxes, optionally modified.

If the extender used is water, it is also possible for example, to useorganic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Suitable liquid solvents areessentially: aromatic compounds, such as xylene, toluene oralkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatic compounds or chlorinatedaliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes ormethylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane orparaffins, for example mineral oil fractions, mineral and vegetableoils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol, and also ethers and estersthereof, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutylketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such asdimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, and also water.

The compositions according to the invention may comprise additionalfurther components, such as, for example, surfactants. Suitablesurfactants are emulsifiers, dispersants or wetting agents having ionicor nonionic properties, or mixtures of these surfactants. Examples ofthese are salts of polyacrylic acid, salts of lignosulphonic acid, saltsof phenolsulphonic acid or naphthalenesulphonic acid, polycondensates ofethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fattyamines, substituted phenols (preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols),salts of sulphosuccinic esters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyltaurates), phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols,fatty esters of polyols, and derivatives of the compounds containingsulphates, sulphonates and phosphates. The presence of a surfactant isrequired if one of the active compounds and/or one of the inert carriersis insoluble in water and when the application takes place in water. Theproportion of surfactants is between 5 and 40 percent by weight of thecomposition according to the invention.

It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for exampleiron oxide, titanium oxide, Prussian blue, and organic dyes, such asalizarin dyes, azo dyes and metal phthalocyanine dyes, and tracenutrients, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt,molybdenum and zinc.

If appropriate, other additional components may also be present, forexample protective colloids, binders, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropicsubstances, penetrants, stabilizers, sequestering agents, complexformers. In general, the active compounds can be combined with any solidor liquid additive customarily used for formulation purposes.

In general, the compositions according to the invention comprise between0.05 and 99 percent by weight, 0.01 and 98 percent by weight, preferablebetween 0.1 and 95 percent by weight, particularly preferred between 0.5and 90 percent by weight of the active compound combination according tothe invention, very particularly preferable between 10 and 70 percent byweight.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to theinvention can be used as such or, depending on their respective physicaland/or chemical properties, in the form of their formulations or the useforms prepared therefrom, such as aerosols, capsule suspensions,cold-fogging concentrates, warm-fogging concentrates, encapsulatedgranules, fine granules, flowable concentrates for the treatment ofseed, ready-to-use solutions, dustable powders, emulsifiableconcentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions,macrogranules, microgranules, oil-dispersible powders, oil-miscibleflowable concentrates, oil-miscible liquids, foams, pastes,pesticidecoated seed, suspension concentrates, suspoemulsionconcentrates, soluble concentrates, suspensions, wettable powders,soluble powders, dusts and granules, water-soluble granules or tablets,water-soluble powders for the treatment of seed, wettable powders,natural products and synthetic substances impregnated with activecompound, and also microencapsulations in polymeric substances and incoating materials for seed, and also ULV cold-fogging and warm-foggingformulations.

The formulations mentioned can be prepared in a manner known per se, forexample by mixing the active compounds or the active compoundcombinations with at least one additive. Suitable additives are allcustomary formulation auxiliaries, such as, for example, organicsolvents, extenders, solvents or diluents, solid carriers and fillers,surfactants (such as adjuvants, emulsifiers, dispersants, protectivecolloids, wetting agents and tackifiers), dispersants and/or binders orfixatives, preservatives, dyes and pigments, defoamers, inorganic andorganic thickeners, water repellents, if appropriate siccatives and UVstabilizers, gibberellins and also water and further processingauxiliaries. Depending on the formulation type to be prepared in eachcase, further processing steps such as, for example, wet grinding, drygrinding or granulation may be required.

The compositions according to the invention do not only compriseready-to-use compositions which can be applied with suitable apparatusto the plant or the seed, but also commercial concentrates which have tobe diluted with water prior to use.

The active compound combinations according to the invention can bepresent in (commercial) formulations and in the use forms prepared fromthese formulations as a mixture with other (known) active compounds,such as insecticides, attractants, sterilants, bactericides, acaricides,nematicides, fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, fertilizers,safeners and Semiochemicals.

The treatment according to the invention of the plants and plant partswith the active compounds or compositions is carried out directly or byaction on their surroundings, habitat or storage space using customarytreatment methods, for example by dipping, spraying, atomizing,irrigating, evaporating, dusting, fogging, broadcasting, foaming,painting, spreading-on, watering (drenching), drip irrigating and, inthe case of propagation material, in particular in the case of seeds,furthermore as a powder for dry seed treatment, a solution for seedtreatment, a water-soluble powder for slurry treatment, by incrusting,by coating with one or more layers, etc. It is furthermore possible toapply the active compounds by the ultra-low volume method, or to injectthe active compound preparation or the active compound itself into thesoil.

The invention furthermore comprises a method for treating seed. Theinvention furthermore relates to seed treated according to one of themethods described in the preceding paragraph.

The active compounds or compositions according to the invention areespecially suitable for treating seed. A large part of the damage tocrop plants caused by harmful organisms is triggered by an infection ofthe seed during storage or after sowing as well as during and aftergermination of the plant. This phase is particularly critical since theroots and shoots of the growing plant are particularly sensitive, andeven small damage may result in the death of the plant. Accordingly,there is great interest in protecting the seed and the germinating plantby using appropriate compositions.

The control of phytopathogenic fungi by treating the seed of plants hasbeen known for a long time and is the subject of continuousimprovements. However, the treatment of seed entails a series ofproblems which cannot always be solved in a satisfactory manner. Thus,it is desirable to develop methods for protecting the seed and thegerminating plant which dispense with the additional application of cropprotection agents after sowing or after the emergence of the plants orwhich at least considerably reduce additional application. It isfurthermore desirable to optimize the amount of active compound employedin such a way as to provide maximum protection for the seed and thegerminating plant from attack by phytopathogenic fungi, but withoutdamaging the plant itself by the active compound employed. Inparticular, methods for the treatment of seed should also take intoconsideration the intrinsic fungicidal properties of transgenic plantsin order to achieve optimum protection of the seed and the germinatingplant with a minimum of crop protection agents being employed.

Accordingly, the present invention also relates in particular to amethod for protecting seed and germinating plants against attack byphytopathogenic fungi by treating the seed with a composition accordingto the invention. The invention also relates to the use of thecompositions according to the invention for treating seed for protectingthe seed and the germinating plant against phytopathogenic fungi.Furthermore, the invention relates to seed treated with a compositionaccording to the invention for protection against phytopathogenic fungi.

The control of phytopathogenic fungi which damage plants post-emergenceis carried out primarily by treating the soil and the above-ground partsof plants with crop protection compositions. Owing to the concernsregarding a possible impact of the crop protection composition on theenvironment and the health of humans and animals, there are efforts toreduce the amount of active compounds applied.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that, because of theparticular systemic properties of the compositions according to theinvention, treatment of the seed with these compositions not onlyprotects the seed itself, but also the resulting plants after emergence,from phytopathogenic fungi. In this manner, the immediate treatment ofthe crop at the time of sowing or shortly thereafter can be dispensedwith.

It is also considered to be advantageous that the mixtures according tothe invention can be used in particular also for transgenic seed wherethe plant growing from this seed is capable of expressing a proteinwhich acts against pests. By treating such seed with the active compoundcombinations or compositions according to the invention, even by theexpression of the, for example, insecticidal protein, certain pests maybe controlled. Surprisingly, a further synergistic effect may beobserved here, which additionally increases the effectiveness of theprotection against attack by pests.

The compositions according to the invention are suitable for protectingseed of any plant variety employed in agriculture, in the greenhouse, inforests or in horticulture or viticulture. In particular, this takes theform of seed of cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, millet,oats), maize (corn), cotton, soya bean, rice, potatoes, sunflowers,beans, coffee, beets (e.g. sugar beets and fodder beets), peanuts,oilseed rape, poppies, olives, coconuts, cacao, sugar cane, tobacco,vegetables (such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and lettuce), lawn andornamental plants (also see below). The treatment of seeds of cereals(such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and oats), maize (corn) and riceis of particular importance.

As also described further below, the treatment of transgenic seed withthe active compound combinations or compositions according to theinvention is of particular importance. This refers to the seed of plantscontaining at least one heterologous gene which allows the expression ofa polypeptide or protein having insecticidal properties. Theheterologous gene in transgenic seed can originate, for example, frommicroorganisms of the species Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas,Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter, Glomus or Gliocladium. Preferably,this heterologous gene is from Bacillus sp., the gene product havingactivity against the European corn borer and/or the Western cornrootworm. Particularly preferably, the heterologous gene originates fromBacillus thuringiensis.

In the context of the present invention, the active compoundcombinations or compositions according to the invention are applied ontheir own or in a suitable formulation to the seed. Preferably, the seedis treated in a state in which it is sufficiently stable so that thetreatment does not cause any damage. In general, treatment of the seedmay take place at any point in time between harvesting and sowing.Usually, the seed used is separated from the plant and freed from cobs,shells, stalks, coats, hairs or the flesh of the fruits. Thus, it ispossible to use, for example, seed which has been harvested, cleaned anddried to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight. Alternatively,it is also possible to use seed which, after drying, has been treated,for example, with water and then dried again.

When treating the seed, care must generally be taken that the amount ofthe composition according to the invention applied to the seed and/orthe amount of further additives is chosen in such a way that thegermination of the seed is not adversely affected, or that the resultingplant is not damaged. This must be borne in mind in particular in thecase of active compounds which may have phytotoxic effects at certainapplication rates.

The compositions according to the invention can be applied directly,that is to say without comprising further components and without havingbeen diluted. In general, it is preferable to apply the compositions tothe seed in the form of a suitable formulation. Suitable formulationsand methods for the treatment of seed are known to the person skilled inthe art and are described, for example, in the following documents: U.S.Pat. No. 4,272,417, U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,432, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,430,U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,739, US 2003/0176428 A1, WO 2002/080675, WO2002/028186.

The active compound combinations which can be used according to theinvention can be converted into customary seed dressing formulations,such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, slurries orother coating materials for seed, and also ULV formulations.

These formulations are prepared in a known manner by mixing the activecompounds or active compound combinations with customary additives, suchas, for example, customary extenders and also solvents or diluents,colorants, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, defoamers,preservatives, secondary thickeners, adhesives, gibberellins and wateras well.

Suitable colorants that may be present in the seed dressing formulationswhich can be used according to the invention include all colorantscustomary for such purposes. Use may be made both of pigments, ofsparing solubility in water, and of dyes, which are soluble in water.Examples that may be mentioned include the colorants known under thedesignations Rhodamine B, C.I. Pigment Red 112, and C.I. Solvent Red 1.

Suitable wetting agents that may be present in the seed dressingformulations which can be used according to the invention include allsubstances which promote wetting and are customary in the formulation ofactive agrochemical substances. With preference it is possible to usealkylnaphthalene-sulphonates, such as diisopropyl- ordiisobutylnaphthalene-sulphonates.

Suitable dispersants and/or emulsifiers that may be present in the seeddressing formulations which can be used according to the inventioninclude all nonionic, anionic, and cationic dispersants which arecustomary in the formulation of active agrochemical substances. Withpreference, it is possible to use nonionic or anionic dispersants ormixtures of nonionic or anionic dispersants. Particularly suitablenonionic dispersants are ethylene oxidepropylene oxide block polymers,alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, and tristyrylphenol polyglycol ethers,and their phosphated or sulphated derivatives. Particularly suitableanionic dispersants are lignosulphonates, polyacrylic salts, andarylsulphonate-formaldehyde condensates.

Defoamers that may be present in the seed dressing formulations to beused according to the invention include all foam-inhibiting compoundswhich are customary in the formulation of agrochemically activecompounds. Preference is given to using silicone defoamers, magnesiumstearate, silicone emulsions, long-chain alcohols, fatty acids and theirsalts and also organofluorine compounds and mixtures thereof.

Preservatives that may be present in the seed dressing formulations tobe used according to the invention include all compounds which can beused for such purposes in agrochemical compositions. By way of example,mention may be made of dichlorophen and benzyl alcohol hemiformal.

Secondary thickeners that may be present in the seed dressingformulations to be used according to the invention indude all compoundswhich can be used for such purposes in agrochemical compositions.Preference is given to cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid derivatives,polysaccharides, such as xanthan gum or Veegum, modified clays,phyllosilicates, such as attapulgite and bentonite, and also finelydivided silicic acids.

Suitable adhesives that may be present in the seed dressing formulationsto be used according to the invention include all customary binderswhich can be used in seed dressings. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl alcohol and tylose may be mentioned as beingpreferred.

Suitable gibberellins that may be present in the seed dressingformulations to be used according to the invention are preferably thegibberellins A1, A3 (=gibberellic acid), A4 and A7; particularpreference is given to using gibberellic acid. The gibberellins areknown (cf. R. Wegler “Chemie der Pflanzenschutz- andSchadlingsbekampfungsmittel” [Chemistry of Crop Protection Agents andPesticides], Vol. 2, Springer Verlag, 1970, pp. 401-412).

The seed dressing formulations which can be used according to theinvention may be used directly or after dilution with water beforehandto treat seed of any of a very wide variety of types. The seed dressingformulations which can be used according to the invention or theirdilute preparations may also be used to dress seed of transgenic plants.In this context, synergistic effects may also arise in interaction withthe substances formed by expression.

Suitable mixing equipment for treating seed with the seed dressingformulations which can be used according to the invention or thepreparations prepared from them by adding water includes all mixingequipment which can commonly be used for dressing. The specificprocedure adopted when dressing comprises introducing the seed into amixer, adding the particular desired amount of seed dressingformulation, either as it is or following dilution with waterbeforehand, and carrying out mixing until the formulation is uniformlydistributed on the seed. Optionally, a drying operation follows.

The active compounds or compositions according to the invention havestrong microbicidal activity and can be used for controlling unwantedmicroorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, in crop protection andmaterial protection.

In crop protection, fungicides can be used for controllingPlasmodiophoromycetes, Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes,Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes.

In crop protection, bactericides can be used for controllingPseudomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceaeand Streptomycetaceae.

The fungicidal compositions according to the invention can be used forthe curative or protective control of phytopathogenic fungi.Accordingly, the invention also relates to curative and protectivemethods for controlling phytopathogenic fungi using the active compoundcombinations or compositions according to the invention, which areapplied to the seed, the plant or plant parts, the fruit or the soil inwhich the plants grow. Preference is given to application onto the plantor the plant parts, the fruits or the soil in which the plants grow.

The compositions according to the invention for combatingphytopathogenic fungi in crop protection comprise an active, butnon-phytotoxic amount of the compounds according to the invention.“Active, but non-phytotoxic amount” shall mean an amount of thecomposition according to the invention which is sufficient to control orto completely kill the plant disease caused by fungi, which amount atthe same time does not exhibit noteworthy symptoms of phytotoxicity.These application rates generally may be varied in a broader range,which rate depends on several factors, e.g. the phytopathogenic fungi,the plant or crop, the climatic conditions and the ingredients of thecomposition according to the invention.

The fact that the active compounds, at the concentrations required forthe controlling of plant diseases, are well tolerated by plants permitsthe treatment of aerial plant parts, of vegetative propagation materialand seed, and of the soil.

According to the invention, it is possible to treat all plants and partsof plants. Plants are to be understood here as meaning all plants andplant populations, such as wanted and unwanted wild plants or cropplants (including naturally occurring crop plants). Crop plants can beplants which can be obtained by conventional breeding and optimizationmethods or by biotechnological and genetic engineering methods orcombinations of these methods, including the transgenic plants andincluding plant cultivars which can or cannot be protected by plantvariety protection rights. Parts of plants are to be understood asmeaning all above-ground and below-ground parts and organs of theplants, such as shoot, leaf, flower and root, examples which may bementioned being leaves, needles, stems, trunks, flowers, fruit bodies,fruits and seeds and also roots, tubers and rhizomes. Plant parts alsoinclude harvested material and vegetative and generative propagationmaterial, for example seedlings, tubers, rhizomes, cuttings and seeds.Preference is given to the treatment of the plants and the above-groundand below-ground parts and organs of the plants, such as shoot, leaf,flower and root, examples which may be mentioned being leaves, needles,stems, trunks, flowers, and fruits.

The active compounds of the invention, in combination with good planttolerance and favourable toxicity to warm-blooded animals and beingtolerated well by the environment, are suitable for protecting plantsand plant organs, for increasing the harvest yields, for improving thequality of the harvested material. They may be preferably employed ascrop protection agents. They are active against normally sensitive andresistant species and against all or some stages of development.

The following plants may be mentioned as plants which can be treatedaccording to the invention: cotton, flax, grapevines, fruit, vegetable,such as Rosaceae sp. (for example pomaceous fruit, such as apples andpears, but also stone fruit, such as apricots, cherries, almonds andpeaches and soft fruit such as strawberries), Ribesioidae sp.,Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp.,Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp., Musaceaesp. (for example banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (forexample coffee), Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (forexample lemons, oranges and grapefruit), Solanaceae sp. (for exampletomatoes), Liliaceae sp., Asteraceae sp. (for example lettuce),Umbelliferae sp., Cruciferae sp., Chenopodiaceae sp., Cucurbitaceae sp.(for example cucumbers), Alliaceae sp. (for example leek, onions),Papilionaceae sp. (for example peas); major crop plants, such Gramineaesp. (for example maize, lawn, cereals such as wheat, rye, rice, barley,oats, millet and triticale), Poaceae sp. (for example sugarcane),Asteraceae sp. (for example sunflowers), Brassicaceae sp. (for examplewhite cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts,pak choi, kohlrabi, garden radish, and also oilseed rape, mustard,horseradish and cress), Fabacae sp. (for example beans, peas, peanuts),Papilionaceae sp. (for example soya beans), Solanaceae sp. (for examplepotatoes), Chenopodiaceae sp. (for example sugar beet, fodder beet,Swiss chard, beetroot); crop plants and ornamentai plants in garden andforest; and also in each case genetically modified varieties of theseplants.

As already mentioned above, it is possible to treat all plants and theirparts according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, wild plantspecies and plant cultivars, or those obtained by conventionalbiological breeding methods, such as crossing or protoplast fusion, andparts thereof, are treated. In a further preferred embodiment,transgenic plants and plant cultivars obtained by genetic engineeringmethods, if appropriate in combination with conventional methods(genetically modified organisms), and parts thereof are treated. Theterms “parts”, “parts of plants” and “plant parts” have been explainedabove. Particularly preferably, plants of the plant cultivars which arein each case commercially available or in use are treated according tothe invention. Plant cultivars are to be understood as meaning plantshaving novel properties (“traits”) which have been obtained byconventional breeding, by mutagenesis or by recombinant DNA techniques.These can be cultivars, bio- or genotypes.

The method of treatment according to the invention is used in thetreatment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), e.g. plants orseeds. Genetically modified plants (or transgenic plants) are plants ofwhich a heterologous gene has been stably integrated into the genome.The expression “heterologous gene” essentially means a gene which isprovided or assembled outside the plant and when introduced in thenuclear, chloroplastic or mitochondrial genome gives the transformedplant new or improved agronomic or other properties by expressing aprotein or polypeptide of interest or by down regulating or silencingother gene(s) which are present in the plant (using for example,antisense technology, co-suppression technology or RNA interferenceRNAi—technology). A heterologous gene that is located in the genome isalso called a transgene. A transgene that is defined by its particularlocation in the plant genome is called a transformation or transgenicevent.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location andgrowth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), thetreatment according to the invention may also result in super-additive(“synergistic”) effects. Thus, for example, reduced application ratesand/or a widening of the activity spectrum and/or an increase in theactivity of the active compounds and compositions which can be usedaccording to the invention, better plant growth, increased tolerance tohigh or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to water orsoil salt content, increased flowering performance, easier harvesting,accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, bigger fruits, largerplant height, greener leaf color, earlier flowering, higher qualityand/or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, highersugar concentration within the fruits, better storage stability and/orprocessability of the harvested products are possible, which exceed theeffects which were actually to be expected.

At certain application rates, the active compound combinations accordingto the invention may also have a strengthening effect in plants.Accordingly, they are also suitable for mobilizing the defense system ofthe plant against attack by unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/ormicroorganisms and/or viruses. This may, if appropriate, be one of thereasons of the enhanced activity of the combinations according to theinvention, for example against fungi. Plant-strengthening(resistance-inducing) substances are to be understood as meaning, in thepresent context, those substances or combinations of substances whichare capable of stimulating the defense system of plants in such a waythat, when subsequently inoculated with unwanted phytopathogenic fungiand/or microorganisms and/or viruses, the treated plants display asubstantial degree of resistance to these phytopathogenic fungi and/ormicroorganisms and/or viruses, Thus, the substances according to theinvention can be employed for protecting plants against attack by theabovementioned pathogens within a certain period of time after thetreatment. The period of time within which protection is effectedgenerally extends from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days, after thetreatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Plants and plant cultivars which are preferably to be treated accordingto the invention include all plants which have genetic material whichimpart particularly advantageous, useful traits to these plants (whetherobtained by breeding and/or biotechnological means).

Plants and plant cultivars which are also preferably to be treatedaccording to the invention are resistant against one or more bioticstresses, i.e. said plants show a better defense against animal andmicrobial pests, such as against nematodes, insects, mites,phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abioticstresses. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought,cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, flooding,increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure, ozon exposure, highlight exposure, limited availability of nitrogen nutrients, limitedavailability of phosphorus nutrients, shade avoidance.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention, are those plants characterized by enhanced yieldcharacteristics. Increased yield in said plants can be the result of,for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such aswater use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use,enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increasedgermination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield can furthermorebe affected by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stressconditions), including but not limited to, early flowering, floweringcontrol for hybrid seed production, seedling vigor, plant size,internode number and distance, root growth, seed size, fruit size, podsize, pod or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed mass, enhancedseed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodgingresistance. Further yield traits include seed composition, such ascarbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and composition,nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, improvedprocessability and better storage stability.

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plantsthat already express the characteristic of heterosis or hybrid vigorwhich results in generally higher yield, vigor, health and resistancetowards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typicallymade by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female parent)with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male parent). Hybridseed is typically harvested from the male sterile plants and sold togrowers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in corn) be produced bydetasseling, i.e. the mechanical removal of the male reproductive organs(or males flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is the result ofgenetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, and especiallywhen seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plantsit is typically useful to ensure that male fertility in the hybridplants is fully restored. This can be accomplished by ensuring that themale parents have appropriate fertility restorer genes which are capableof restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants that contain thegenetic determinants responsible for male-sterility. Geneticdeterminants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm.Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance describedin Brassica species. However, genetic determinants for male sterilitycan also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can alsobe obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering.A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants isdescribed in WO 89/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such asbarnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens.Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of aribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the inventionare herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to one or moregiven herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetictransformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutationimparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants,i.e. plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof.Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate through different means. Forexample, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming theplant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphatesynthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutantCT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium, the CP4 gene of thebacterium Agrobacterium sp, the genes encoding a Petunia EPSPS, a TomatoEPSPS, or an Eleusine EPSPS. It can also be a mutated EPSPS.Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a genethat encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerantplants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes aglyphosate acetyl transferase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerant plants canalso be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurringmutations of the above-mentioned genes.

Other herbicide resistant plants are for example plants that are madetolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such asbialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtainedby expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant glutaminesynthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One such efficientdetoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricinacetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomycesspecies). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricinacetyltransferase are also described.

Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that are made tolerantto the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase(HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenases are enzymes that catalyze thereaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is transformed intohomogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD-inhibitors can be transformedwith a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or agene encoding a mutated HPPD enzyme. Tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors canalso be obtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certainenzymes enabling the formation of homogentisate despite the inhibitionof the native HPPD enzyme by the HPPD-inhibitor. Tolerance of plants toHPPD inhibitors can also be improved by transforming plants with a geneencoding an enzyme prephenate dehydrogenase in addition to a geneencoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme.

Still further herbicide resistant plants are plants that are madetolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS-inhibitorsinclude, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines,pyrimidinyoxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinoneherbicides. Different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known asacetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) are known to confer tolerance todifferent herbicides and groups of herbicides. The production ofsulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants isdescribed in WO 1996/033270. Other imidazolinone-tolerant plants arealso described. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plantsare also described in for example WO 2007/024782.

Other plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can beobtained by induced mutagenesis, selection in cell cultures in thepresence of the herbicide or mutation breeding as described for examplefor soybeans, for rice, for sugar beet, for lettuce, or for sunflower.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e. plants maderesistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containinga mutation imparting such insect resistance.

An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, includes anyplant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequenceencoding:

1) an insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or aninsecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal crystal proteinslisted online at:http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/BY, or insecticidalportions thereof, e.g., proteins of the Cry protein classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb or insecticidal portions thereof;or2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion thereofwhich is insecticidal in the presence of a second other crystal proteinfrom Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion thereof, such as the binarytoxin made up of the Cry34 and Cry35 crystal proteins; or3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of differentinsecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such as ahybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the proteins of 2)above, e.g., the CrylA.105 protein produced by corn event MON98034 (WO2007/027777); or4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some, particularly 1to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another amino acid to obtain ahigher insecticidal activity to a target insect species, and/or toexpand the range of target insect species affected, and/or because ofchanges introduced into the encoding DNA during cloning ortransformation, such as the Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 orMON88017, or the Cry3A protein in corn event MIR604;5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis orBacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as thevegetative insecticidal (VIP) proteins listed at:http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html, e.g.proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or6) secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus cereus whichis insecticidal in the presence of a second secreted protein fromBacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such as the binary toxin made up ofthe VIP1A and VIP2A proteins; or7) hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different secretedproteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus cereus, such as ahybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid of the proteins in 2)above; or 8) protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another aminoacid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target insectspecies, and/or to expand the range of target insect species affected,and/or because of changes introduced into the encoding DNA duringcloning or transformation (while still encoding an insecticidalprotein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in cotton event COT102.

Of course, an insect-resistant transgenic plant, as used herein, alsoincludes any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding theproteins of any one of the above classes 1 to 8. In one embodiment, aninsect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding aprotein of any one of the above classes 1 to 8, to expand the range oftarget insect species affected when using different proteins directed atdifferent target insect species, or to delay insect resistancedevelopment to the plants by using different proteins insecticidal tothe same target insect species but having a different mode of action,such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Such plants can be obtainedby genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing amutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stresstolerance plants include:

-   a. a plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the    expression and/or the activity of poly(ADPribose)polymerase (PARP)    gene in the plant cells or plants-   b. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene    capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the PARG    encoding genes of the plants or plants cells.-   c. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene    coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine    dinucleotide salvage synthesis pathway including nicotinamidase,    nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid mononucleotide    adenyl transferase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase or    nicotine amide phosphorybosyltransferase.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage-stability of theharvested product and/or altered properties of specific ingredients ofthe harvested product such as:

1) transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch, which in itsphysical-chemical characteristics, in particular the amylose content orthe amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of branching, the averagechain length, the side chain distribution, the viscosity behaviour, thegelling strength, the starch grain size and/or the starch grainmorphology, is changed in comparison with the synthesised starch in wildtype plant cells or plants, so that this is better suited for specialapplications.2) transgenic plants which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymersor which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymers with alteredproperties in comparison to wild type plants without geneticmodification. Examples are plants producing polyfructose, especially ofthe inulin and levan-type, plants producing alpha 1,4 glucans, plantsproducing alpha-1,6 branched alpha-1,4-glucans, plants producingalternan,3) transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fibercharacteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformationor by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such alteredfiber characteristics and include:

-   a) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of    cellulose synthase genes,-   b) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of rsw2    or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids,-   c) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of    sucrose phosphate synthase,-   d) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of    sucrose synthase,-   e) Plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the    plasmodesmatal gating at the basis of the fiber cell is altered,    e.g. through downregulation of fiberselective β 1,3-glucanase,-   f) Plants, such as cotton plants, having fibers with altered    reactivity, e.g. through the expression of    N-acteylglucosaminetransferase gene including nodC and    chitinsynthase genes.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassicaplants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants contain amutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

-   a) Plants, such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a high    oleic acid content,-   b) Plants such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low    linolenic acid content,-   c) Plant such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low    level of saturated fatty acids.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which encodeone or more toxins, such as the following which are sold under the tradenames YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut®(for example maize), BiteGard® (for example maize), Bt-Xtra® (forexample maize), StarLink® (for example maize), Bollgard® (cotton),Nucotn® (cotton), Nucotn 33B®(cotton), NatureGard® (for example maize),Protecta® and NewLeaf® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plantswhich may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soyabean varieties which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready®(tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), LibertyLink® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI®(tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS® (tolerance to sulphonylureas, forexample maize) Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in a conventionalmanner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentioned include thevarieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for example maize)

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, orcombination of transformation events, that are listed for example in thedatabases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see forexample http://gmoinfajrcit/gmp_browse.aspx andhttp://www.agbios.com/dbase.php).

In material protection the substances of the invention may be used forthe protection of technical materials against infestation anddestruction by undesirable fungi and/or microorganisms.

Technical materials are understood to be in the present contextnon-living materials that have been prepared for use in engineering. Forexample, technical materials that are to be protected againstmicro-biological change or destruction by the active materials of theinvention can be adhesives, glues, paper and cardboard, textiles,carpets, leather, wood, paint and plastic articles, cooling lubricantsand other materials that can be infested or destroyed bymicro-organisms. Within the context of materials to be protected arealso parts of production plants and buildings, for example coolingcircuits, cooling and heating systems, air conditioning and ventilationsystems, which can be adversely affected by the propagation of fungiand/or microorganisms. Within the context of the present invention,preferably mentioned as technical materials are adhesives, glues, paperand cardboard, leather, wood, paints, cooling lubricants and heatexchanger liquids, particularly preferred is wood. The combinationsaccording to the invention can prevent disadvantageous effects likedecaying, dis- and decoloring, or molding. The active compoundcombinations and compositions according to the invention can likewise beemployed for protecting against colonization of objects, in particularship hulls, sieves, nets, buildings, quays and signalling installations,which are in contact with sea water or brackish water.

The method of treatment according to the invention can also be used inthe field of protecting storage goods against attack of fungi andmicroorganisms. According to the present invention, the term “storagegoods” is understood to denote natural substances of vegetable or animalorigin and their processed forms, which have been taken from the naturallife cycle and for which long-term protection is desired. Storage goodsof vegetable origin, such as plants or parts thereof, for examplestalks, leafs, tubers, seeds, fruits or grains, can be protected in thefreshly harvested state or in processed form, such as pre-dried,moistened, comminuted, ground, pressed or roasted. Also falling underthe definition of storage goods is timber, whether in the form of crudetimber, such as construction timber, electricity pylons and barriers, orin the form of finished articles, such as furniture or objects made fromwood. Storage goods of animal origin are hides, leather, furs, hairs andthe like. The combinations according the present invention can preventdisadvantageous effects such as decay, discoloration or mold. Preferably“storage goods” is understood to denote natural substances of vegetableorigin and their processed forms, more preferably fruits and theirprocessed forms, such as pomes, stone fruits, soft fruits and citrusfruits and their processed forms.

Some pathogens of fungal diseases which can be treated according to theinvention may be mentioned by way of example, but not by way oflimitation:

Powdery Mildew Diseases such as Blumeria diseases caused for example byBlumeria graminis; Podosphaera diseases caused for example byPodosphaera leucotricha; Sphaerotheca diseases caused for example bySphaerotheca fuliginea; Uncinula diseases caused for example by Uncinulanecator; Rust Diseases such as Gymnosporangium diseases caused forexample by Gymnosporangium sabinae; Hemileia diseases caused for exampleby Hemileia vastatrix; Phakopsora diseases caused for example byPhakopsora pachyrhizi and Phakopsora meibomiae; Puccinia diseases causedfor example by Puccinia recondita, Puccinia graminis or Pucciniastriiformis; Uromyces diseases caused for example by Uromycesappendiculatus;

Oomycete Diseases such as Albugo diseases caused for example by Albugocandida; Bremia diseases caused for example by Bremia lactucae;Peronospora diseases caused for example by Peronospora pisi andPeronospora brassicae; Phytophthora diseases caused for example byPhytophthora infestans;

Plasmopara diseases caused for example by Plasmopara viticola;Pseudoperonospora diseases caused for example by Pseudoperonosporahumuli and Pseudoperonospora cubensis; Pythium diseases caused forexample by Pythium ultimum;

Leaf spot, Leaf blotch and Leaf Blight Diseases such as Alternariadiseases caused for example by Alternaria solani; Cercospora diseasescaused for example by Cercospora beticola; Cladiosporium diseases causedfor example by Cladiosporium cucumerinum; Cochliobolus diseases causedfor example by Cochliobolus sativus (Conidiaform: Drechslera, Syn:Helminthosporium) or Cochliobolus miyabeanus; Colletotrichum diseasescaused for example by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum; Cycloconiumdiseases caused for example by Cycloconium oleaginum; Diaporthe diseasescaused for example by Diaporthe citri; Elsinoe diseases caused forexample by Elsinoe fawcettii; Gloeosporium diseases caused for exampleby Gloeosporium laeticolor; Glomerella diseases caused for example byGlomerella cingulata; Guignardia diseases caused for example byGuignardia bidwellii; Leptosphaeria diseases caused for example byLeptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria nodorum; Magnaporthe diseasescaused for example by Magnaporthe grisea; Mycosphaerella diseases causedfor example by Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycosphaerella arachidicolaand Mycosphaerella fijiensis; Phaeosphaeria diseases caused for exampleby Phaeosphaeria nodorum; Pyrenophora diseases caused for example byPyrenophora teres or Pyrenophora tritici repentis; Ramularia-diseasescaused for example by Ramularia collo-cygni or Ramularia areola;Rhynchosporium diseases caused for example by Rhynchosporium secalis;Septoria diseases caused for example by Septoria apii and Septorialycopersici; Typhula diseases caused for example by Thyphula incarnata;Venturia diseases caused for example by Venturia inaequalis;

Root-, Sheath and Stem Diseases such as Corticium diseases caused forexample by Corticium graminearum; Fusarium diseases caused for exampleby Fusarium oxysporum; Gaeumannomyces diseases caused for example byGaeumannomyces graminis; Rhizoctonia diseases caused for example byRhizoctonia solani; Sarocladium diseases caused for example bySarocladium oryzae; Sclerotium diseases caused for example by Sclerotiumoryzae; Tapesia diseases caused for example by Tapesia acuformis;Thielaviopsis diseases caused for example by Thielaviopsis basicola;

Ear and Panicle Diseases including Maize cob such as Alternaria diseasescaused for example by Alternaria spp.; Aspergillus diseases caused forexample by Aspergillus flavus; Cladosporium diseases caused for exampleby Cladiosporium cladosporioides; Claviceps diseases caused for exampleby Claviceps purpurea; Fusarium diseases caused for example by Fusariumculmorum; Gibberella diseases caused for example by Gibberella zeae;Monographella diseases caused for example by Monographella nivalis;

Smut- and Bunt Diseases such as Sphacelotheca diseases caused forexample by Sphacelotheca reiliana; Tilletia diseases caused for exampleby Tilletia caries; Urocystis diseases caused for example by Urocystisocculta; Ustilago diseases caused for example by Ustilago nuda;

Fruit Rot and Mould Diseases such as Aspergillus diseases caused forexample by Aspergillus flavus; Botrytis diseases caused for example byBotrytis cinerea; Penicillium diseases caused for example by Penicilliumexpansum and Penicillium purpurogenum; Rhizopus diseases caused byexample by Rhizopus stolonifer Sclerotinia diseases caused for exampleby Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; Verticillium diseases caused for example byVerticillium alboatrum;

Seed- and Soilborne Decay, Mould, Wilt, Rot and Damping-off diseasescaused for example by Alternaria diseases caused for example byAlternaria brassicicola; Aphanomyces diseases caused for example byAphanomyces euteiches; Ascochyta diseases caused for example byAscochyta lentis; Aspergillus diseases caused for example by Aspergillusflavus; Cladosporium diseases caused for example by Cladosporiumherbarum; Cochliobolus diseases caused for example by Cochliobolussativus; (Conidiaform: Drechslera, Bipolaris Syn: Helminthosporium);Colletotrichum diseases caused for example by Colletotrichum coccodes;Fusarium diseases caused for example by Fusarium culmorum; Gibberelladiseases caused for example by Gibberella zeae; Macrophomina diseasescaused for example by Macrophomina phaseolina; Microdochium diseasescaused for example by Microdochium nivale; Monographella diseases causedfor example by Monographella nivalis; Penicillium diseases caused forexample by Penicillium expansum; Phoma diseases caused for example byPhoma lingam; Phomopsis diseases caused for example by Phomopsis sojae;Phytophthora diseases caused for example by Phytophthora cactorum;Pyrenophora diseases caused for example by Pyrenophora graminea;Pyricularia diseases caused for example by Pyricularia oryzae; Pythiumdiseases caused for example by Pythium ultimum; Rhizoctonia diseasescaused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; Rhizopus diseases caused forexample by Rhizopus oryzae; Sclerotium diseases caused for example bySclerotium rolfsii; Septoria diseases caused for example by Septorianodorum; Typhula diseases caused for example by Typhula incamata;Verticillium diseases caused for example by Verticillium dahliae;

Canker, Broom and Dieback Diseases such as Nectria diseases caused forexample by Nectria galligena;

Blight Diseases such as Monilinia diseases caused for example byMonilinia laxa;

Leaf Blister or Leaf Curl Diseases including deformation of blooms andfruits such as Exobasidium diseases caused for example by Exobasidiumvexans.

Taphrina diseases caused for example by Taphrina deformans;

Decline Diseases of Wooden Plants such as Esca disease caused forexample by Phaeomoniella clamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum andFomitiporia mediterranea; Ganoderma diseases caused for example byGanoderma boninense; Rigidoporus diseases caused for example byRigidoporus lignosus

Diseases of Flowers and Seeds such as Botrytis diseases caused forexample by Botrytis cinerea;

Diseases of Tubers such as Rhizoctonia diseases caused for example byRhizoctonia solani; Helminthosporium diseases caused for example byHelminthosporium solani;

Club root diseases such as Plasmodiophora diseases, cause for example byPlamodiophora brassicae.

Diseases caused by Bacterial Organisms such as Xanthomonas species forexample Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae; Pseudomonas species forexample Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans; Erwinia species for exampleErwinia amylovora.

Preference is given to controlling the following diseases of soya beans:

Fungal diseases on leaves, stems, pods and seeds caused, for example, byalternaria leaf spot (Alternaria spec. atrans tenuissima), anthracnose(Colletotrichum gloeosporoides dematium var. truncatum), brown spot(Septoria glycines), cercospora leaf spot and blight (Cercosporakikuchii), choanephora leaf blight (Choanephora infundibulifera trispora(Syn.)), dactuliophora leaf spot (Dactuliophora glycines), downy mildew(Peronospora manshurica), drechslera blight (Drechslera glycini),frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora sojina), leptosphaerulina leaf spot(Leptosphaerulina trifolii), phyllostica leaf spot (Phyllostictasojaecola), pod and stem blight (Phomopsis sojae), powdery mildew(Microsphaera diffusa), pyrenochaeta leaf spot (Pyrenochaeta glycines),rhizoctonia aerial, foliage, and web blight (Rhizoctonia solani), rust(Phakopsora pachyrhizi Phakopsora meibomiae), scab (Sphacelomaglycines), stemphylium leaf blight (Stemphylium botryosum), target spot(Corynespora cassiicola).

Fungal diseases on roots and the stem base caused, for example, by blackroot rot (Calonectria crotalariae), charcoal rot (Macrophominaphaseolina), fusarium blight or wilt, root rot, and pod and collar rot(Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium orthoceras, Fusarium semitectum, Fusariumequiseti), mycoleptodiscus root rot (Mycoleptodiscus terrestris),neocosmospora (Neocosmopspora vasinfecta), pod and stem blight(Diaporthe phaseolorum), stem canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum var.caulivora), phytophthora rot (Phytophthora megasperma), brown stem rot(Phialophora gregata), pythium rot (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythiumirregulare, Pythium debaryanum, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium ultimum),rhizoctonia root rot, stem decay, and damping-off (Rhizoctonia solani),sclerotinia stem decay (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), sclerotinia Southernblight (Sclerotinia rolfsii), thielaviopsis root rot (Thielaviopsisbasicola).

It is also possible to control resistant strains of the organismsmentioned above.

Microorganisms capable of degrading or changing the industrial materialswhich may be mentioned are, for example, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algaeand slime organisms. The active compounds according to the inventionpreferably act against fungi, in particular moulds, wood-discolouringand wood-destroying fungi (Basidiomycetes) and against slime organismsand algae. Microorganisms of the following genera may be mentioned asexamples: Alternaria, such as Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus, such asAspergillus niger, Chaetomium, such as Chaetomium globosum, Coniophora,such as Coniophora puetana, Lentinus, such as Lentinus tigrinus,Penicillium, such as Penicillium glaucum, Polyporus, such as Polyporusversicolor, Aureobasidium, such as Aureobasidium pullulans, Sclerophoma,such as Sclerophoma pityophila, Trichoderma, such as Trichoderma viride,Escherichia, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, such as Pseudomonasaeruginosa, and Staphylococcus, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

In addition, the compounds of the formula (I) according to the inventionalso have very good antimycotic activity. They have a very broadantimycotic activity spectrum in particular against dermatophytes andyeasts, moulds and diphasic fungi (for example against Candida speciessuch as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata) and Epidermophytonfloccosum, Aspergillus species such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillusfumigatus, Trichophyton species such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Microsporon species such as Microsporon canis and audouinii. The list ofthese fungi by no means limits the mycotic spectrum which can becovered, but is only for illustration.

When applying the compounds according to the invention the applicationrates can be varied within a broad range. The dose of activecompound/application rate usually applied in the method of treatmentaccording to the invention is generally and advantageously

-   -   for treatment of part of plants, e.g. leaves (foliar treatment):        from 0.1 to 10,000 g/ha, preferably from 50 to 1,000 g/ha, more        preferably from 100 to 750 g/ha; in case of drench or drip        application, the dose can even be reduced, especially while        using inert substrates like rockwool or perlite;    -   for seed treatment: from 2 to 250 g per 100 kg of seed,        preferably from 3 to 200 g per 100 kg of seed, more preferably        from 2.5 to 50 g per 100 kg of seed, even more preferably from        2.5 to 25 g per 100 kg of seed; for soil treatment: from 0.1 to        10,000 g/ha, preferably from 1 to 5,000 g/ha.

The doses herein indicated are given as illustrative examples of themethod according to the invention. A person skilled in the art will knowhow to adapt the application doses, notably according to the nature ofthe plant or crop to be treated.

The combination according to the invention can be used in order toprotect plants within a certain time range after the treatment againstpests and/or phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms. The timerange, in which protection is effected, spans in general 1 to 28 days,preferably 1 to 14 days, more preferably 1 to 10 days, even morepreferably 1 to 7 days after the treatment of the plants with thecombinations or up to 200 days after the treatment of plant propagationmaterial.

The application of the compositions according to the invention ongrowing plants or plant parts can also be used to protect plants orplant parts after harvesting.

According to the invention, post-harvest and storage diseases may becaused for example by the following fungi: Colletotrichum spp., e.g.Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichumcoccodes; Fusarium spp., e.g. Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium moniliforme,Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum; Verticillium spp., e.g.Verticillium theobromae; Nigrospora spp.; Botrytis spp., e.g. Botrytiscinerea; Geotrichum spp., e.g. Geotrichum candidum; Phomopsis spp.,Phomopsis natalensis; Diplodia spp., e.g. Diplodia citri; Alternariaspp., e.g. Alternaria citri, Alternaria alternata; Phytophthora spp.,e.g. Phytophthora citrophthora, Phytophthora fragariae, Phytophthoracactorum, Phytophthora parasitica; Septoria spp., e.g. Septoriadepressa; Mucor spp., e.g. Mucor piriformis; Monilinia spp., e.g.Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa; Venturia spp., e.g. Venturiainaequalis, Venturia pyrina; Rhizopus spp., e.g. Rhizopus stolonifer,Rhizopus oryzae; Glomerella spp., e.g. Glomerella cingulata; Sclerotiniaspp., e.g. Sclerotinia fruiticola; Ceratocystis spp., e.g. Ceratocystisparadoxa; Penicillium spp., e.g. Penicillium funiculosum, Penicilliumexpansum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum; Gloeosporiumspp., e.g. Gloeosporium album, Gloeosporium perennans, Gloeosporiumfructigenum, Gloeosporium singulata; Phlyctaena spp., e.g. Phlyctaenavagabunda; Cylindrocarpon spp., e.g. Cylindrocarpon mali; Stemphylliumspp., e.g. Stemphyllium vesicarium; Phacydiopycnis spp., e.g.Phacydiopycnis malirum; Thielaviopsis spp., e.g. Thielaviopsis paradoxy;Aspergillus spp., e.g. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus carbonarius;Nectria spp., e.g. Nectria galligena; Pezicula spp.

According to the invention, post-harvest storage disorders are forexample scald, scorch, softening, senescent breakdown, lenticel spots,bitter pit, browning, water core, vascular breakdown, CO₂ injury, CO₂deficiency and O₂ deficiency.

Furthermore combinations and compositions according to the invention mayalso be used to reduce the contents of mycotoxins in plants and theharvested plant material and therefore in foods and animal feed stuffmade therefrom. Especially but not exclusively the following mycotoxinscan be specified: Deoxynivalenole (DON), Nivalenole, 15-Ac-DON,3-Ac-DON, T2-und HT2-Toxins, Fumonisines, Zearalenone Moniliformine,Fusarine, Diaceotoxyscirpenole (DAS), Beauvericine, Enniatine,Fusaroproliferine, Fusarenole, Ochratoxines, Patuline, Ergotalkaloidesund Aflatoxines, which are caused for example by the following fungaldiseases: Fusarium spec., like Fusarium acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F.crookwellense, F. culmorum, F. graminearum (Gibberella zeae), F.equiseti, F. fujikoroi, F. musarum, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F.poae, F. pseudograminearum, F. sambucinum, F. scirpi, F. semitectum, F.solani, F. sporotrichoides, F. langsethiae, F. subglutinans, F.tricinctum, F. verticillioides and others but also by Aspergillus spec.,Penicillium spec., Claviceps purpurea, Stachybotrys spec. and others.

The good fungicidal activity of the active compound combinationsaccording to the invention is evident from the example below. While theindividual active compounds exhibit weaknesses with regard to thefungicidal activity, the combinations have an activity which exceeds asimple addition of activities.

A synergistic effect of fungicides is always present when the fungicidalactivity of the active compound combinations exceeds the total of theactivities of the active compounds when applied individually.

The expected activity for a given combination of two active compoundscan be calculated as follows (cf. Colby, S.R., “Calculating Synergisticand Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 1967, 15,20-22): If

-   X is the efficacy when active compound A is applied at an    application rate of m ppm (or g/ha),-   Y is the efficacy when active compound B is applied at an    application rate of n ppm (or g/ha),-   E is the efficacy when the active compounds A and B are applied at    application rates of m and n ppm (or g/ha), respectively, and    then

$E = {X + Y - \frac{X \cdot Y}{100}}$

The degree of efficacy, expressed in % is denoted. 0% means an efficacywhich corresponds to that of the control while an efficacy of 100% meansthat no disease is observed.

If the actual fungicidal activity exceeds the calculated value, then theactivity of the combination is superadditive, i.e. a synergistic effectexists. In this case, the efficacy which was actually observed must begreater than the value for the expected efficacy (E) calculated from theabovementioned formula. A further way of demonstrating a synergisticeffect is the method of Tammes (cf. “Isoboles, a graphic representationof synergism in pesticides” in Neth. J. Plant Path., 1964, 70, 73-80).

The invention is illustrated by the examples below. However, theinvention is not limited to the examples.

USE EXAMPLES Example A Alternaria Test (Tomatoes)/Preventive

Solvent: 24.5 parts by weight of acetone 24.5 parts by weight ofdimethylacetamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desiredconcentration. To test for preventive activity, young plants are sprayedwith the preparation of active compound at the stated rate ofapplication. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants areinoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Alternaria solani. Theplants are then placed in an incubation cabinet at approximately 20° C.and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%. The test is evaluated 3days after the inoculation. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds tothat of the untreated control while an efficacy of 100% means that nodisease is observed. The table below clearly shows that the observedactivity of the active compound combination according to the inventionis greater than the calculated activity, i.e. a synergistic effect ispresent.

TABLE A Alternaria test (tomatoes)/preventive Application rate of activeEfficacy in % Active compounds compound in ppm a.i. found* calc.** (A)Prothioconazole 10 50 (B) Iprodione 40 70 (A) + (B) 1:4 10 + 40 95 85*found = activity found **calc. = activity calculated using Colby'sformula

Example B Venturia Test (Apples)/Preventive

Solvent: 24.5 parts by weight of acetone 24.5 parts by weight ofdimethylacetamide Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desiredconcentration. To test for preventive activity, young plants are sprayedwith the preparation of active compound at the stated rate ofapplication. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants areinoculated with an aqueous conidia suspension of the causal agent ofapple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and then remain for 1 day in anincubation cabinet at approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospherichumidity of 100%. The plants are then placed in a greenhouse atapproximately 21° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity ofapproximately 90%. The test is evaluated 10 days after the inoculation.0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the untreated control,while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed. The tablebelow clearly shows that the observed activity of the active compoundcombination according to the invention is greater than the calculatedactivity, i.e. a synergistic effect is present.

TABLE B Venturia test (apples)/preventive Application rate of activeEfficacy in % Active compounds compound in ppm a.i. found* calc.** (A)Prothioconazole 10 43 (B) Iprodione 40  3 (A) + (B) 1:4 10 + 40 95 45*found = activity found **calc. = activity calculated using Colby'sformula

The invention claimed is:
 1. An active compound composition comprising:(A) Prothioconazole and (B) Iprodione, wherein the weight ratio of A:Bis in a range of from 10:1 to 1:10, wherein prothioconazole andiprodione are the sole active compounds in the composition, and whereinthe composition has synergistic fungicidal activity.
 2. A compositionaccording to claim 1 further comprising at least one of an auxiliary, asolvent, a carrier, a surfactant or an extender.
 3. An active compoundcomposition according to claim 1, capable of being used for treating aseed, a seed of a transgenic plant and/or a transgenic plant.
 4. A seedtreated with an active compound composition according to claim
 1. 5. Amethod for controlling phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection,comprising applying a composition according to claim 2 to a seed, aplant, to a fruit of a plant and/or to soil on which a plant growsand/or is supposed to grow.
 6. A seed treated with a compositionaccording to claim
 2. 7. An active compound composition according toclaim 1, wherein the weight ratio of A:B is in a range of from 4:1 to1:4.
 8. A method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi in cropprotection, comprising applying prothioconazole and iprodione to a seed,a plant, to a fruit of a plant and/or to soil on which a plant growsand/or is supposed to grow, wherein the weight ratio of prothioconazoleto iprodione applied is in a range of from 10:1 to 1:10, whereinprothioconazole and iprodione are the sole active compounds in theapplication, and wherein the prothioconazole and iprodione have asynergistic fungicidal activity.
 9. A method according to claim 8,wherein a plant, a fruit of a plant and/or soil on which a plant growand/or is intended to grow is treated.
 10. A method according to claim8, wherein when said applying is to a leaf, said applying is made in anamount from 0.1 to 10 000 g/ha and when said applying is to a seed, from2 to 200 g per 100 kg of seed is employed.
 11. A method for controllingunwanted phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection comprising applying toa crop prothioconazole and iprodione to control unwanted phytopathogenicfungi, wherein the weight ratio of prothioconazole to iprodione appliedis in a range of from 10:1 to 1:10, wherein prothioconazole andiprodione are the sole active compounds in the application, and whereinthe prothioconazole and iprodione have a synergistic fungicidalactivity.